St. Tammany Parish will open shelters several nights this week for those who need a place to escape the cold temperatures, which are expected to dip to the low- to mid-20s. The shelters are being made available through the St. Tammany Parish Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness in conjunction with the city of Slidell, the Red Cross, and Thompson Road Baptist Church.

Tuesday, starting at 7 p.m., people in need can shelter at Thompson Road Baptist Church at 59008 Louisiana 433 in Slidell. And on Thursday and Friday nights, which are also expected to be very cold, residents can take refuge beginning at 7 p.m. in the gym at John Slidell Park at 105 Robert Blvd. in Slidell.

Severe cold weather protocols are in place, and critical parish government employees have been placed on notice for emergency activation if the weather dictates, according to a news release from St. Tammany Parish.

Tammany Utilities is asking all St. Tammany residents to wrap their pipes and take necessary precautions to prevent pipes from bursting.

The Department of Health and Human Services is urging residents who have elderly family members to make certain they have a safe and effective way to heat their homes. Furthermore, they are asking residents to check on at-risk families or neighbors who could fall victim to severe cold weather.

The parish's Department of Animal Services asks pet and livestock owners to take precautions to safeguard the well-being of animals in their care, including bringing pets indoors and preventing water sources for livestock from freezing.